COVID-19: Latest Updates
The Chamber is proactive in acting as your source for business information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. It is incumbent on all of us to follow the advice of medical experts and elected officials in order to minimize the impact of COVID-19. The Chamber Board and staff know the socio-economic impacts this crisis will have on our members and indeed the community at large.
However, the board and staff of The Chamber know that this will mean hardship for many, including our members. Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been in contact with representatives from all three levels of government advocating on your behalf for support that will help mitigate the damage being done to the business community.
Below are resources and information that you may find helpful at this time, but we also want to hear from you about your specific experiences and suggestions for how government can help you and your employees. We will share your requests and stories with government officials on an ongoing basis.
Contact either myself (krobson@timminschamber.on.ca) or our Policy and Engagement Lead, Cameron Grant (policy@timminschamber.on.ca).
Sincerely,
Keitha Robson
Chief Administrative Officer
The Chamber.
Straightforward instructions on how to apply for things like Employment Insurance, Caregiver Benefits, rent subsidies and others
LIST OF ESSENTIAL WORKPLACES
Open letter of request to Mayor George Pirie and Members of Council re: COVID-19
Business Resources
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888-444-3659
Government of Canada Business Support Page
Suzanne Desrosiers Professional Corporation Employer Toolkit
Ontario Chamber: Covid-19 Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for Ontario Business
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Pandemic Preparedness Plan
Canada Business AppResources for Canadian Businesses: COVID-19
Canadian Franchise Association: COVID-19 Resources
Deloitte: Practical Steps for Pandemic Preparedness
Deloitte: Managing Cash Flow During a Crisis
Deloitte: Practical Workforce Strategies That Put Your People First
Deloitte: COVID-19: Government financing programs for small to medium-sized Canadian business
City of Timmins COVID-19 Resource Page
Timmins Economic Development Corporation Press Release
CIBC Temporary wage subsidy for employers: Canada's COVID-19 response plan
MNP COVID-19 Business Advice Centre
In addition to pandemic preparedness tools, we have also created templates for your use:
Crisis Communications Plan and a Business Continuity & Recovery Plan.
The Chamber is proactive in acting as your source for business information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. It is incumbent on all of us to follow the advice of medical experts and elected officials in order to minimize the impact of COVID-19. The Chamber Board and staff know the socio-economic impacts this crisis will have on our members and indeed the community at large.
However, the board and staff of The Chamber know that this will mean hardship for many, including our members. Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been in contact with representatives from all three levels of government advocating on your behalf for support that will help mitigate the damage being done to the business community.
Below are resources and information that you may find helpful at this time, but we also want to hear from you about your specific experiences and suggestions for how government can help you and your employees. We will share your requests and stories with government officials on an ongoing basis.
Contact either myself (krobson@timminschamber.on.ca) or our Policy and Engagement Lead, Cameron Grant (policy@timminschamber.on.ca).
Sincerely,
Keitha Robson
Chief Administrative Officer
The Chamber.
Straightforward instructions on how to apply for things like Employment Insurance, Caregiver Benefits, rent subsidies and others
LIST OF ESSENTIAL WORKPLACES
Open letter of request to Mayor George Pirie and Members of Council re: COVID-19
Business Resources
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Stop the Spread Business Information Line Now Open at 1-888-444-3659
Government of Canada Business Support Page
Suzanne Desrosiers Professional Corporation Employer Toolkit
Ontario Chamber: Covid-19 Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for Ontario Business
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Pandemic Preparedness Plan
Canada Business AppResources for Canadian Businesses: COVID-19
Canadian Franchise Association: COVID-19 Resources
Deloitte: Practical Steps for Pandemic Preparedness
Deloitte: Managing Cash Flow During a Crisis
Deloitte: Practical Workforce Strategies That Put Your People First
Deloitte: COVID-19: Government financing programs for small to medium-sized Canadian business
City of Timmins COVID-19 Resource Page
Timmins Economic Development Corporation Press Release
CIBC Temporary wage subsidy for employers: Canada's COVID-19 response plan
MNP COVID-19 Business Advice Centre
In addition to pandemic preparedness tools, we have also created templates for your use:
Crisis Communications Plan and a Business Continuity & Recovery Plan.
Critical Business Information
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Temporary Business Wage Subsidy
UPDATE: On March 27, the Prime Minister announced that the federal government will be expanding the federal wage subsidy to small businesses to 75 percent, up from the previously announced 10 percent. This subsidy will be back-dated to Sunday, March 15. This is a welcomed and much-needed step from the federal government, and will prove critical to the continued health and survival of Canada's small businesses. The prime minister made the announcement that people will continue to be paid even though their employer has had to slow down or stop its operations because of COVID-19. The Government is asking employers who are considering laying off workers, that they reconsider with the support of this wage subsidy increase. For businesses who are seeing an increase in employee exhaustion, may consider rehiring laid off employees to help share the load. General enquiries: Phone: 1-800-959-5525 (Phone line may be heavily inundated and a busy signal may sound. Continue to try) |
Canada Emergency Business Account
The Canada Emergency Business Account, through which Canadian banks will make available government-guaranteed loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses, which will be interest-free for the first year; up to $10,000 of those loans will be forgivable for eligible businesses. The government also committed to providing an additional $12.5 billion through Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank to help cash flows for small businesses. MORE INFORMATION TO COME GST and HST Deferrals
The Prime Minister also announced that the government is committed to deferring GST and HST remittances and duties on imports/exports until June 2020. MORE INFORMATION TO COME |
The Venture Centre
With prime interest rate currently at 0.25 percent, the businesses will be saving significantly, and the Venture Centre is doing zero payments and no interest for 6 months. They will not accruing that interest, it is forgiven for that period.
Their intention is to have application of under $50,000 per client but we are willing to consider larger amounts on a case by case basis. That is why we left it open up to our maximum loan amounts. The larger the amount requested, the longer it takes since security and due diligence will still be required for the loans.
For more information on how to apply, click here.
With prime interest rate currently at 0.25 percent, the businesses will be saving significantly, and the Venture Centre is doing zero payments and no interest for 6 months. They will not accruing that interest, it is forgiven for that period.
Their intention is to have application of under $50,000 per client but we are willing to consider larger amounts on a case by case basis. That is why we left it open up to our maximum loan amounts. The larger the amount requested, the longer it takes since security and due diligence will still be required for the loans.
For more information on how to apply, click here.
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Employment Support Measures for Business
The Emergency Care Benefit provides up to $900 biweekly, up to 15 weeks to workers, including the self-employed, who have to stay home and don't qualify for paid sick leave or employment insurance. HOW TO APPLY: This will become available in April, and applications will be via the CRA. Have an EI claim in process but have since been diagnosed with COVID 19? Please call 1-833-381-2725 |
Tax Deferment
The federal government has agreed to defer until August 31, 2020, the payment tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. Similarly, the municipal government has agreed that late property tax payments will not attract interest or late payment penalties until June 4, 2020. HOW TO APPLY: No application needed |
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Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
The BCAP will allow the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC) to provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largest targeted to small- and medium-sized businesses (as defined by 499 employees or less).
BDC Website EDC Website |
Mortgage Payment Deferrals
The six largest banking institutions in Canada have made a commitment to work with personal and business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through various challenges. This support will include up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages, and the opportunity for relief on other credit products. HOW TO APPLY: This will be done on a first come, first serve basis and requires a direct call to your bank. Here are the helplines for each institution: BMO: 1- 877-788-1923 CIBC: 1-877-454-9030 RBC: 1-800-769-2511 Scotiabank: 1-833-315-4357 TD: 1-888-730-0075 National Bank of Canada: 1‑844‑394‑4494 |
Purchase Order Financing
This BDC program will help cover up to 90 percent of the purchase order amount to ease cash flow to your suppliers.
HOW TO APPLY:
BDC Website
This BDC program will help cover up to 90 percent of the purchase order amount to ease cash flow to your suppliers.
HOW TO APPLY:
BDC Website
Web Pages
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19: Business Resilience
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19: FAQ
Canadian Payroll Association: Payroll Continuity Best Practice Guidelines
Chambers Plan: COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Chambers Plan FAQ
Federal Press Releases
Prime Minister outlines Canada's COVID-19 response
Provincial Press Releases
Ontario Providing Electricity Relief to Families, Small Businesses and Farms During COVID-19
COVID-19 Government Announced Support - March 27 2020
Financial
Economic Development Corporation
Employment Insurance (New dedicated COVID-19 number: 1-833-381-2725)
Business Development Canada:
Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus
Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs
Department of Finance Canada:
Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector
Global Affairs Canada
Trade Commissioner Service Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses
Regional Development Agencies
RDAs are helping to address economic challenges brought on by COVID-19
Economic Development Supports
Economic Developers Council of Ontario - Members Facebook Group
Economic Developers Association of Canada - LinkedIn Group
International Economic Developers Association - Webinar Presentation
Dealing with the Coronavirus: What to do immediately, to help save the tourism industry and our downtown: Presentation
Here’s how #CDNtech companies are pitching in during COVID-19 - Article
Health
Public Health Ontario
Canada Public Health
Social distancing, handwashing and cleaning / ventilation
Increasing cleaning procedures (Ontario)
Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19
Novus Health Webinar: Building Resilience to COVID-19 (English)
Novus Health Webinar: Renforce votre résilience face à la COVID-19 (Français)
Travel
Latest Government of Canada Travel Advice
Destination Canada - COVID-19 Updates
Employment and Social Development Canada
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Other organizations
Restaurants Canada
Retail Council
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
The Conference Board of Canada
Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses
— CFIB is opening their Business Helpline to non-CFIB members. For advice managing #coronavirus in the workplace, business owners can call 1-888-234-2232.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19: Business Resilience
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19: FAQ
Canadian Payroll Association: Payroll Continuity Best Practice Guidelines
Chambers Plan: COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Chambers Plan FAQ
Federal Press Releases
Prime Minister outlines Canada's COVID-19 response
Provincial Press Releases
Ontario Providing Electricity Relief to Families, Small Businesses and Farms During COVID-19
COVID-19 Government Announced Support - March 27 2020
Financial
Economic Development Corporation
Employment Insurance (New dedicated COVID-19 number: 1-833-381-2725)
Business Development Canada:
Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus
Business continuity plan and templates for entrepreneurs
Department of Finance Canada:
Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector
Global Affairs Canada
Trade Commissioner Service Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses
Regional Development Agencies
RDAs are helping to address economic challenges brought on by COVID-19
Economic Development Supports
Economic Developers Council of Ontario - Members Facebook Group
Economic Developers Association of Canada - LinkedIn Group
International Economic Developers Association - Webinar Presentation
Dealing with the Coronavirus: What to do immediately, to help save the tourism industry and our downtown: Presentation
Here’s how #CDNtech companies are pitching in during COVID-19 - Article
Health
Public Health Ontario
Canada Public Health
Social distancing, handwashing and cleaning / ventilation
Increasing cleaning procedures (Ontario)
Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19
Novus Health Webinar: Building Resilience to COVID-19 (English)
Novus Health Webinar: Renforce votre résilience face à la COVID-19 (Français)
Travel
Latest Government of Canada Travel Advice
Destination Canada - COVID-19 Updates
Employment and Social Development Canada
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Other organizations
Restaurants Canada
Retail Council
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
The Conference Board of Canada
Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses
— CFIB is opening their Business Helpline to non-CFIB members. For advice managing #coronavirus in the workplace, business owners can call 1-888-234-2232.
